Difference between open authentication and WPA

Can somebody explain the fundamental difference between "Open Authentication" and WPA?

Thanks.

Reply to
KAL
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If it's OPEN there is no authentication.

Reply to
mike vore

Ummm, sorta.

WPA includes 802.1x authentication as manditory. 802.1x is a replacement for the previous open authentication and shared key authentication.

For WEP, not WPA, encryption, there is either open authentication or shared-key authentication. Open authentication is a nice way of saying no authentication. Shared key authentication uses the WEP key to create a hash code used to authenticate the user. Unfortunately, shared key authentication has enough information in the hashed packets to recover the original WEP key and is therefore considered to be a security problem. In this case, open authentication is considered more secure.

However, using WPA eliminates the authentication issue as the built in

802.1x solves the security problems.

Fun reading on shared authentication security: WEPWedgie

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Reply to
Jeff Liebermann

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